MDC said Mutsekwa was too close to Mohadi

Movement for Democratic Change co-Minister of Home Affairs Giles Mutsekwa was reported to be too close to his Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front counterpart Kembo Mohadi.

This was said by the party spokesman Nelson Chamisa when he announced that the party was concerned about three MDC ministers who were reported to be too close to ZANU-PF.

A weekly paper had reported that the MDC was investigating the ministers for corruption but Chamisa said an investigation would play into the hands of ZANU-PF but he admitted that the party would investigate the three informally.

Chamisa said the party was concerned about Mutsekwa, Energy Minister Elias Mudzuri and deputy Mines Minister Murisi Zwizwai.

Zwizwai was suspected of collaborating too closely with ZANU-PF elements in the exploitation of the Chiadzwa diamond fields.

There were reports that Mudzuri was enriching himself through the import of fuel.

And Mutsekwa appeared to be working too closely with his ZANU-PF co-Minister of Home Affairs, Kembo Mohadi.

Chamisa said it was going to be difficult to investigate the three because they were personally close to party leader Morgan Tsvangirai and he was reluctant to take any action.

Mudzuri was later fired and Mutsekwa demoted to Housing Minister.

Full cable:

Viewing cable 10HARARE35, INSIDER’S VIEW OF MDC-T

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NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR MICHELLE GAVIN

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TAGS: PREL PGOV ZI

SUBJECT: INSIDER’S VIEW OF MDC-T

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Zimbabwe Independent that reported MDC-T had launched a

corruption investigation focused on MDC ministers Giles

Mutsekwa (co-Minister of Home Affairs), Elias Mudzuri

(Minister of Energy) and Murisi Zwizwai (Deputy Minister of

Mines). Chamisa replied that an investigation of MDC-T

ministers would play into ZANU-PF’s hands. The only

investigation that was taking place was of selected local

overnment councils controlled by MDC-T, Chitungwiza (a large

Harare suburb) in particular. But MDC-T was concerned about

the named ministers. Zwizwai was suspected of collaborating

too closely with ZANU-PF elements in the exploitation of the

Chiadzwa diamond fields. There were reports that Mudzuri was

enriching himself through the import of fuel. And Mutsekwa

appeared to be working too closely with his ZANU-PF

co-Minister of Home Affairs, Kembo Mohadi. MDC-T would

investigate, according to Chamisa, but informally. He said

this would be somewhat difficult since Tsvangirai was

personally close to the ministers and was reluctant to take

action.

¶6. (C) We also asked Chamisa about a common perception that

the Office of the Prime Minister was weak and had failed to

play a coordinating role for government ministries. Chamisa

agreed. Ian Makone, Tsvangirai’s chief of staff, was

ineffective. But Makone was a good friend of Tsvangirai and

it was unlikely that Tsvangirai would make a change.

——-

COMMENT

——-

¶7. (C) Biti initially opposed MDC-T’s entry into government

and there have been rumors ever since of deep-seated

divisions within the party. Chamisa’s take on the issue

supports what we have heard from others. There are

differences within MDC-T, particularly on tactics, but MDC-T

is basically unified and focused on an electoral strategy.

¶8. (C) Chamisa and many of his MDC-T allies do not see

fundamental change without elections, and therefore would

like to have elections in 2011. But ZANU-PF is unlikely to

support this. It needs to resolve its succession issue and

attempt to rebuild. And many MDC parliamentarians are afraid

of losing their seats. The constitutional process will

determine the timing of elections, but at this point in time,

2011 appears unlikely.

RAY

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